ESOPExchange Students from Overseas Program

We will draw on a "social constructionist" framework and examine how certain social problems have been discovered, defined, and dealt with in post-war Japan. We begin the course by providing an overview of sociological approaches, in particular, a social constructionist approach to social problems, and critically examining Nihonjin-ron (theories of Japanese-ness) to provide frameworks for approaching Japanese social problems. We will then discuss specific Japanese social problems around the family, education, youth, gender, work, and aging Japan.
The aim of this course is to take critical perspectives into representations of Japanese social problems, particularly in the media, through taking a constructionist approach.

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain the "social constructionist" framework and apply it for making sense of Japanese social problems in post-war Japan. It is expected that students will develop a nuanced understanding of contemporary Japanese society through critically examining the social problems from sociological/ anthropological perspectives.

英語 / English

Classes will primarily be based on discussions rather than lectures. It is therefore expected that students come to class having done the assigned reading and ready to discuss them. Every student will make a presentation or write a paper on a chosen topic. Feedback will be given on the Learning Management System for assignments submitted on the Learning Management System, and in class for work done in class (e.g. presentations).

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：オンライン/online

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1.[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Making sense of Japanese social problems　

2.[オンライン/online]：Sociological Approaches to Social Problems

Introduction to the social constructionist perspective on social problems (self introduction due)

3.[オンライン/online]：Approaches to Japanese Society: Nihonjin-ron

Overview of key concepts in Nihonjin-ron

4.[オンライン/online]：Critical Approaches to Japanese Society

Overview of critiques against Nihonjin-ron

5.[オンライン/online]：A Case Study of a Japanese Social Problem: Hikikomori (Youth Social Withdrawal)

Lecture of instructor's research on hikikomori

6.[オンライン/online]：Approaching Japanese Social Problems

Discussion of media reports on Japanese social problems (article assignment 1)

7.[オンライン/online]：Rethinking Motherhood and the Japanese Family

Examining gendered division of labor in the home through a case study of child abuse

8.[オンライン/online]：Suffering School-children

Examining ijime (bullying), futoko (school non-attendance), and violence in schools

9.[オンライン/online]：Education and "Internationalization"

Examining kikokushijo (returnees), their problems and privileges

10.[オンライン/online]：Otaku: From a "Moral Panic" to "Cool Japan"

Examining shifting interpretations of otaku subcultures

11.[オンライン/online]：LGBTQIA+: Accepted or Not?

Examining shifting perspectives on LGBTQIA+ issues

12.[オンライン/online]：Gender & Work

Examining the salaryman masculinity through a
case study of karoshi (death due to overtime work)

13.[オンライン/online]：Challenges of an Aging Society

Examining "good death" and care for the elderly

14.[オンライン/online]：Summing up

Summary and discussion of media reports on Japanese social problems (article assignment 2)

Students are expected to complete regular reading assignments prior to class and to be ready for productive discussions on the assigned readings. They should also prepare for either a presentation or a paper on a topic of their choice. Students should expect to spend roughly 4 hours per week for preparation/review outside of class.

We will not use a textbook. Required readings will be provided by the instructor.

Goodman, Roger, Yuki Imoto, and Tuukka H. I. Toivonen. A Sociology of Japanese Youth: From Returnees to NEETs. London: Routledge, 2012.

Active class particiipation/Completion of in-class tasks (14 sessions, 3% each) 42%
Reading notes (checked in 10 sessions; minimum A4 half-page notes including key questions of the text, at least 2 key terms & definitions, 1 discussion question, 2% each) 20%
Self-introduction (200-word text + photo/2-3 minute video, due Week 2) 4%
Article assignments (finding and sharing a non-academic media story; in-class discussions of the articles will involve applications of a social constructionist approach to social problems) (twice, 5% each) 10%
Presentation/paper (5-minute presentation or 1000-word paper on a topic of choice) 20%
End of semester essay reflection (200 words on what you learned in the course) 4%

Students gave positive feedback on discussions, so I will continue to include discussions in class.

We will use the Learning Management System available from the university.

You must attend the first class if you are interested in the course. We may have student selection in the first class, depending on the number of interested students.